w;iii *i
i"
jfljr
tii.
iIu;
by
£TKESIS
submitted to
in partial fulfillment of
the requirients for the
degree of
MASTER OF SCIERCE
June 1959
Redacted for Privacy
Head of Department of Vtsh extd Game Management
In Charge of Major
Redacted for Privacy
Mi,nin of School Griduate Cnittie
Redacted for Privacy
Dean of Graduate School
Date thesis i presented
J7
Typed by Barbara Jean Metzger
1/ / 2 s 7
Deep appreciation is felt and +herks are due my wife, June, for
encouragement, prel4iinary typing, and manuscript review.
Thanls are due Mr. Arthur S Etnarsen, Leaer, Oregon Cooperstive Wildlife Research Uflit, for making it possible for me to
conduct the studr, for research consultation, and for the review of
this paper.
For critically reviewing this paper, assistance fran the
following people is greatly appreciated:
Mr. R. E1 Dimick, Head, Dept. of Fish and Geme Management,
Oregon State College.
Dr. D. W. liedrick, Associate Professor, Range Management,
Oregon State College.
Mr. Richard S. Driscoll, Instructor, Range )'wagement,
Oregon State College.
Mr. Williem C. Ltghtfoot, Assistant Leader, Oregon Cooperative
Wildlife Research Unit, Oregon State College.
Mr. Jane. D. Toska, Range Manager, Bureau of Land. Management,
Vale, Oregon. Help in collecting field data vas also
appreciated.
Mr. Lee Kuhn, Associate Professor, Dept. of Fish and Gane
Z'aragement, Oregon 8tate College.
For collecting field data, the assistance fran Bruce Wyatt, Carl
Anderson, Harry Wagner, and Laurie Leonards, Graduate Research
Assistants with Oregon Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, was
greatly appreciated.
Thcnks are due Dr. C E. Poulton, Aøsociate Professor, Range
)Iwegement, Oregon State College, for consultation and advice on my
graduate progran.
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Page
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IN!BTXON . . . . . . . . . . . . .
LITEELEBEVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Nutriticr . . . . . . . . . .
Migrations . .
Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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IBE RE8EARABE&
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Topogr.b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
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LoggingActivities . .
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Vegetation . . . . . . . . . . . . a
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Ani3nalSpecies
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Weather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
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MEHODSANBPROCEDURES
NatritioneiStudy. . . .
Trackc*ser'vationa
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FOOD NUTRITION
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Fell, 1955
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E3qosure-Vegetation ...aasa
Elevation . . . . .
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Age of Logged Openings
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Discussion
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Cc*nparison of Light Inten ities
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Ccauparison of Elevations
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Coxnpariscn of Eosures
Discussion
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Noctuimal Activities
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Discussion
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GENERLDISCSIONANDcOLTEIONS
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REOc*O4ENDATIONS FC% FtTIE
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BIBLIXRAPR!
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Page
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3.
H. J. Mdrevs Experimental Forest with inset
showing the approximate location in Oregon .
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Map of the H. J. Andrews Experimental Forest
showing logged Units and roads
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Slope eapect preference of deer in the B. J.
AndrowsExperimentalForest, 1956......
6.
7.
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Aerial photograph showing a staggered setting
syste of logging in the H. J. Andreve Experimental
Forest. Photo courtesy of U. S. Forest Service . .
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*mber of deer observed on various dates during
night spotlight samples, 1956 and 1957 . . .
5.
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Elevation preference of deer in the H. J. Andrews
Experimental Forest, 1956 and 1957 . . . . . . .
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The age of logged units in relation to deer use
shown frun night spotlight samples, 1956 and 1957
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Iii
4s £:
Table
1.
Page
Species list of plants sp1ed for nutritional
en-alysis
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14.,
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Crude protein .s1ee taken at two elevations and
on two separate dates on a north slope at the sane
approxinate stage of vegetative deve1oent, 1956 .
Ccaiparison of percent crude protein in plants
frciu a north and south slope and fron logged and
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31
Comparison of percent crude protein in plants
fx
logged areas on a north and south exposure
andontvodates.
6.
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CcEparison ut percent crude protein in plants at
two elevations on north slope logged areas, 1955
oanopied.areas, June15, 1956 .
5
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August, 2956.... . .
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Copsrison of percent crude protein in plants
between logged end canopied areas at low
elevations on north exposures, 1956 . . . . .
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Availnble deer browse in logged units
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_$Ji# (')I
An investigation concerting the influence of logging practices
on Co1mbian black-tailed deer, Odocoileus henionus coluebienus
(Richardson),
(17, p. 799),
was conducted during the period July 25,
1955, to Septenber 12, 1957, on the H. 3. Andrews xper1mental
Forest, Blue River, Oregon (Figure 1). The main objectives were to
detereine migrational habits, distributional patterns and site
preferences of deer, and to evaluate the suitability of habitat
changes in the area for deer. A nutritional project on deer browse,
using percent crude protein as a criterion, related quality to
exposure, season, elevation, and light intensity. This program vu
activated in en attenpt to learn the influence, if any, the nutritious), value, as indexed by crude protein content, has on deer
movenents and distribution. Such information would be valuable to
the technician in managing deer populations.
Obserationa and sampling work on deer migrational patterns,
population trends, movenents within the research area, elevation
and slope preference, seasonal habits, and the effects of food
availability on population movements to and from the forest were
also included.
Newly logged
areas have rnmerically increased in Oregon and in
the whole Pacific Northwest. It is known that deer generally favor
new openings which are in different stages of plant succession.
Since many of these timbered areas have been and will be cut in the
Cascade mountains under the sustained yield plan of forest managemerit, it would be advantageous to the g&e manager to understand the
vegetative potential of this region for supporting deer.
Will the study area end similar lands support large populations
of deer? Will support be seasonal, with these populations being
pushed down into agricultural areas of corEtlict during the severe
winter mouths? These questions should be answered in order to
effectively manage Colanbian black-tailed deer in this area.
This investigation marked the beginnft*g of a projected long-
term research program which was designed to find answers to these
questions.
The program was mostly of an observational nature since
it was believed that important information could be collected by
this method regarding the natural selection, reaction, and preference of deer as they were influenced by logging activities.
Research was conducted under the auspices of the Oregon Coop-
erative Wildlife Research Unit1, directed by Mr. Arthur S. Einareen,
biologist of the United States Pish and Wildlife Service end leader
of the Unit.
1Agrlculturel Research Foundation, Oregon Game Caxauission, Oregon
State College, Wildlife Managament Institute, and United States
Fish and Wildlife Service cooperating.
3
The majority of Co1snbian black-tailed deer studies have been
conducted in areas where climate was not severe enough to necessitate deer migrations between definite winter and atminer ranges.
There was an abundance of literature pertaining to the non-migratory
or typical populations of deer, but very little pertaining to
migratory herds.
Pertinent literature concerning both migratory and
non.qnigrator3r deer herds was surveyed.
Also reviewed was other
literature directly related to the study.
Nutrition
Many investigators who have studied the nutritional variations
of deer forage plants have used basically the following method:
samples were taken fran the current growth of plants, ovenuudried,
and then i"e1yzed to deteimine percent crude protein.
This was done
by employing the methods of the Association of Official Agricultural
Chemists (1).
Only those portions of the current year's growth
which were normally taken by the animal were used in analysis.
Biseell and Strong (2, p. 146) recognized the importance of
individual plant variations in protein content.
individual plants may vary as much
as
3) percent.
They stated that
For this reason
they collected twigs fran as many plants as possible for each
species sampled.
:
Hundley (lii, p. 16, 17) collected samples of deer browse at
two-month intervals and made an attempt to correlate these results
with soils
This investigator also determined moisture content for
browse species. In addition to crude protein and moisture, he
determined the phosphorus content, ether extract, ash, crude fiber,
and nitrogen-free extract of the species studied..
Swank (22, p.
3,
), in testing Arizona chaparral
browse species
for nutritive content, clipped. portions of the current twig growth on
four dates during the year in order to determine the seasonal levels
of flUtritiOfle Sanpies were taken on burned. and nonburned. areas to
determine differences,
if any, of protein levels. A mlnhinw
of ten
plants were used for each sample to control variance within species.
Hagen (10, p. 166, 173, 17Z1) sampled deer browse species frcmi
sumner end winter ranges to determine seasonal levels of nutrition.
Samples consisted of the terminal two inches of current growth frc*n
several plants
The Association of Official Agricultural Chemists'
method of analysis was used. Hagen also stated:
"Chemical *nalysis of samples of deer forage plants
show marked differences in ecinposition of the various
species There are also great differences between the
chemical ccsnposition of the forage plants utilized by the
deer during the rnaer, and those plants utilized by the
deer during the winter. The most significant contrast
between 'good' sad 'poor' forage species seem to be in
crude protein content. Plants preferred by the deer and
generally considered the best forage on the basis of
range evaluation prove to be consistently high in protein,
while the 'emergency' or 'stuffing' feeds are low in
protein.
Differences in fat and mineral content est
end may have a bearing on palatability and general
nutritive value, but seam to be less Important than
protein content."
Bissell end Strong (2, p. 1145, 1146) chose crude protein as a
primary ind.tcator of the nutritional value of deer browse for the
following reasons:
"(1) Most American feeding standards for domestic
rain.nts are based upon the exude protein content of the
feed, and thus, the benefits of the vast literature on
livestock feeding may be utilized. (2) Protein is the
foodstuff most important for maintenance and for growth.
(3) The crude fiber content of plants is extremely
important in influencing the digestibility of crude protein
and in supplying energy through its own breakdown into
soluble oarbc&iydratee. However, the crude fiber determination was considered too lengthy to be applied to the
large nueber of plant sanples being evaluated. (14) Total
ash. is a meaningless figure in deer nutrition, although
useful in the economics of commercial feed production.
(5) Fat content of plants as a rule is very low in the
plant structures which deer cc*mncnly eat, and the izripor.
tones of tat in rtmiinant nutrition appears to be of little
significance in their case.
"It certainly is true that the approach may be oversimplified, since the ca1oimi/phospborue ratio, vitemin
content, obscure growth factors, and specific sinino acids or
fatty acids in various plants actually may be ltiniting factors
in deer nutrition."
Biawell, Taber, Hedrick, and Schultz (3, p. 1463), working in
California, recognized the importance of deer food palatability in
relation to vegetative areas which are influenced by different
environmental factors
They stated:
"While the whole question of nutrition has not yet been
thoroughly explored, there is evidence to indicate that the
opened brush and the heavy brush may be compared for annual
diet in the following manner: In the opened brush, the deer
have available an excellent diet during four months of the
year, foraging on abimdant herbs end new sprouts (February..
May), a good diet for another four months (November,
December, January, June) when some green herbs are available
and sprouts are still growing in the spring and early ameer,
and a poor diet during the renaming four months (July..
October) when the herbs are dry and the browse plants are
more or lees dormant. In the heavy brush the deer have
access to an excellent diet only two months of the year
(April, Mar) when the brush is growing rapidly, a good
diet during two months (March and June) when there is sxme
shrub growth, and a poor diet for eight months (July..
February) when there is little growth and the shrub. are
largely dormant. In a wils.ttire burn the enount of succulent
browse available in winter depends on when the area burned.
If the fire is very late in the season there will be
practically no crown sprouting until the following spring."
Biseell and Strong (2, p. 1511), Swank (22, p. 13), and others
found that protein content was highest at the beginning of the
growing
season, dropped during the season, and leveled off at a
seasonal low during dormancy.
Migrations
Three basic ecological
factors have been recognized as influenc..
ing migrations: 1) food and water reuirenments;
conditions; and 3)
2) adverse climatic
production and: rearing of young (11, p. 2142).
Very little information has been published concernTh migrations of
the Co1anbian black-tailed deer. Jones (15, p. 5), who carried out
studies in Washington frcu 19149 through 1953, stated:
"Records indicate that during the winter when there
are snowstomms the deer move off the high open hillsides
to the lowlands for protective cover, returning to their
hce sites when the snow and winter storms abate."
The Oregon State Gene Cciizission (20, p. 2) indicated that aX-
though winter concentrations are not cmon, they do occur in sane
areas.
ft
Lindzey (16, p. 25), while studying the Coli.unbiazi black-tailed
deer in western Oregon during 19112, found the following to be true:
"The Oregon range has both migratory and nonmigratory black-tailed deer, dependent upon topography
and weather conditions
The more eastern deer migrate
up and down the western slopes of the Cascade iiountains,
while the deer resident in the coast range of Oregon
sel&*n make any movement even resesnbling this migration.
The spring migration in the Cascades might be described
aS more of an infiltration, since the return to higher
elevations is gradual. The fall migration is a definite
movement, probably in direct response to climatic stimuli.
Cot ñnan (6, p 15) noted the following habits of the blacktailed deer in California:
"With the heavy snows on the higher ranges, the deer
descend to the lower elevations and during the winter feed
on such bunchgrass and. browse as is available, utilizing
moss, mistletoe and branches broken off by snow where the
more palatable fonns of forage are available.
"As the snows melt away they follow the snow line back
to the higher ranges and during May and June scatter out
through the mountains."
Distribution
The Coltmbian black-tailed deer generally prefer diversified
habitats, containing edges, protective cover, and openings, together
with abundant food, water, and moderate weather conditions.
These
conditions are typified in the Douglas-fir area of western Oregon
where logging operations have been and still are extensive.
Cahalane
(11, p. 112), speaking of the Colmbian black-tailed deer
on the west
coast of North Mzerica, recognized burned and logged areas as ideal
deer habitat.
Trippensee (23, p. 189), speaking of deer in general,
gave the following intonustion on deer habitat:
"Although both the white-tail and the black-tailed
deer are classed as forest inhabitants, neither prefers
nor subsists well in stands of old-growth timber; both
attain their greatest abundance under conditions of cover
characterized by a diversity of types and age classes,
which include a small representation of non-forested land
and considerable areas of dense young stands and brush1an. . . .. .the ideal is cnpoeed predo&nantly of young
age classes, and only in regions of extensive lumbering
operations, recent in origin, are these preferred conditions
to be encountered..
The Oregon State Geme Caimaission (19, p. 1; 20, p. 2), Jones
(15, p. ii.), and Lindsey (16, p. 55) all agreed that logged-over areas
are ideal habitat for the Columbian black-tailed deer.
The period of time logged areas remain in favorable successional
stages for deer use is an extremely important factor to consider.
Trippensee (23, p. 189), again speaking of deer habitat in general,
brought this out in the following statement:
"Even in extensive recently cutover areas such
preferred environmental habitat cannot be maintained
longer than the dictates of. natural succession pennit."
Cowan (7, p. 605) in 1956,
referring to the general habitat of
Columbian black-tailed deer on the vest coast of North America,
stated that block cutting in Douglas-fir and hemlock forests produce
an excellent diversified habitat where deer populations can thrive
and shift as logged blocks grow up and new ones ccmae into being.
Cowan also stated (7, p. 606) that the relationship between
elevation snd the cycle of logging operations was of major importance
when considering the continuation of deer populations
He said that
high elevation logging areas where snows drive deer out would not
increase or sustain deer but that low, snow-free areas were of major
inportance.
10
Lookout Creek Drainage is a small 15,000-acre watershed tributary to the Blue River, which is in tiErn a tributary to the McKenzie
River of Oregon.
In 19148 the complete drainage of this creek was
set aside by the Pacific Northwest Forest and Range £xperiment Station
as a laboratory for testing logging methods, reforestation, and water-
shed manegneat on a c*mmercial scale.
This area, which lies within
the WiUette National Forest, was named the 'H. J. Mdrews Eperimental Forest." Approximately two-thirds of the drainage is covered
by a 1400-year-old stand of Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.)
Freuco, timber which is representative of the old-growth forests in
the Cascade Mountain Range of Oregon.
Topography
Lookout drainage is in the general shape of a triangle with the
apex (pointing west) at the mouth of the stream.
It ranges in eleva.
tion from 11400 feet at its mouth, to 5250 feet at its northeast
terminus, end 5300 feet at Lookout Mountain near the Southeastern
corner of the drainage.
Lookout Mountain.
McRae Creeks.
Lookout Creek heads
on the north side of
Two main tributaries run into Lookout, Mack and
Mack heads on the south side of Lookout Mountain and.
McRae beads at the northeast corner of the drainage.
MoRse is
separated from Lookout Creek besdvatere by a low ridge dropping down
into the center of the drainage (Figure 1).
U
In general, the eer2n3ezita1 forest i* a
steep
drainage with
60 to 70 percent north slopes being ccson. South e1ces are, on
the average, more gentle. There is eons rolling and level tqpo-
graphy on bath slopes at the lower elevations.
Logging Activities
Logging began under the staggered setting systen (Figure 2) in
May, 1950,
with a long term plan in view. A m11 rnsiber of units
have been logged each year. Pram a total of forty-one to date,
twentyseven were used for sampling work. They range in size tram
0.7 to 70.5 acres and have been labeled with rnmbera and letters for
identification (Figure
3)
Logging
was carried out on both north
and south elopes and at elevations of frau 1500 to 1OO feet.
Tractor logging was conducted on slopes averaging tram 5 to 20 per-
cent to the landings
and
high lead lagging was used on slopes
averaging tram 20 to 80 percent to the landings
AU units were
slash burned after logging bad been campleted.
The vegetation of Lookout Creek Drainage is associated 'with
sixty to one-hundred inches of precipitation, approximately seventy.
five percent of 'which falls between November and April. Very dry
conditions prevail throughout the einer months
The dontnant cover
CARPENTER MT.
EUG
ZZEL PT.
Figure 1. H. J. Andrews xperimenta1 Forest with inset showing the approxiruate
location in Oregon.
I0
13
Figure 2. Aerial photQgraph showiri a stcered settiri
ystein of logging in the H. J. Axicirews perirenta1 Forest.
Photo courtesy of the u. s. Forest service.
Fizre
ap cL th
I.
i. ixLrw3 :e1LentLj Foret Jow1r. Ioca units xu LZG5.
15
consists of Douglas.fir with western red-cedar, Thuja plicata Donn.,
and western hemlock, Tauga heterophylla (Rat.) Sarg., scattered
The trpica1 underatozy consists of vine maple, Acer
throughout.
circinat
Pursh.; Pacific yew, Texus
Gau]theria
ShelTon
brevifol.ia Mutt.; salal,
Pursh.; sword fern, Polystichum munit
(Kault.)
Preel ; huckleberry, Vaccinium app ; and wild blackberry, Rubus
vitifolius C. & 8., (21).
The vegetation in the logged-over areas consists of the residusi climax and inveiiing serel species cwon to the west slope of the
Cascade.
The more cancn species are
Bigleat Maple
included in the following list:
Vine Maple
Acer macrophyUmi Pursh
ireinat Pursh
Willow
8a3ix
Dogwood
Connie Nutteiji nd.
endron mac c'phyllum D. Don
Sembucu. app.
California Hazel
Rhododendron
Elderberx7
8.1*1
Hairy )4anzanita
Sticky Laurel
Blue Blosso.
Huckleberry
Blackberry
Thibleberry
Western Blackcap
Sword Fern
ftreweed
Hedge Nettle
oiy1us californica (A.Dc.)
Rose
app.
Gaultheria Sh1ion
Artostaphylo. coltcnbisnus Piper
Ceanothus velutinus Dougi.
C. thyrsiflorus Each.
Vaccinium app.
Rubue vitifolius C.
& S.
Rubus parviflorus Mutt.
Rubus leucodermis Doug]...
Pol.y.ticbum zunitum (Kailt.) Preal.
Epilobiieu angustifoljvn L.
! Pp.
During the greatest seasonal period of deer use, between June
end September, low and medium elevation north slope unit, are
presently characterized by extensive and dense stands of fireweed,
abundant vine maple scattered throughout, scattered elderberry, end
a spotty profusion Of wild blackberry vine.. The fireveed gexe
these units the appearance of having a permanerkt dense vegetative
cover.
However, after the firmed died back in the fall, the units
showed a very low percent vegetative cover.
High elevation and
south slope units were characterized by en open and sparse vegetative
cover throughout the year.
Animal Seciea
Sane of the more important znas (17) and birds (9) found in
the H. J. Andrews Eperimenta1 Forest are included in the following
list:
Maamals
Co1nbion black-tailed
deer
Black beer
Cougar
Bobcat
Coyote
Raccoon
Weasel
Mink
Beaver
Porcupine
Birds
Sooty grouse
Butted grouse
Mountain quail
Band-tail pigeon
Mourning dove
Wood duck
Odocoileus hamionus co1mbianus
(Richai3sài)
Euarctos americanus altifrontalis
(fll4otJ
Felis concolor oregonensis Rat.
z rufus psUescens Merriam
Canis ).atrans impajaensis Jackson
Prvayon lotor pa,if ions Merriam
Mustela app.
)ustela visou aestuarina Grinnell
Castor osnadinais pificus Rhoads
Erethizon dorsatum epixanthum
Brandt
Dendregspus
tuliginosus
(Bidgwey)
Bcnssa umbellus sebini (Douglas)
Oreortyx pótap.1áer Oberholser
Columba fascists tàaiiats Say
Zenaithira ascroura
(Woo
Aix aonaa (Ltnnaeue)
17
Weather
Lookout Creek drainage i
in a transitional zone between the
high Cascade mountains and the WiUette Valley.
erratic between years and i1thiu years.
The weather was
Heavy snows and cold
teeperatures occurred during the last half of November and the first
of December, 1955.
By the end of December, most of the snow had been
melted by heavy rains.
Heavy snows occurred again in January, 1956,
and deep snow persisted until April when it began melting.
The
upper north-slope units were not clear of snow until late May.
18
Methods and procedures used in this investigation wer developed
to facilitate the saupling of a deer population which inhabited a
relatively email range (15,000 acres) characterized by extremes in
elevation, exposure, and topography. The staggered setting system
of logging used in the research area greatly influenced the development of study techniques.
Nutritio'a1 Study
Vegetative swplea trce thirteen plant species were coflected
and analyzed for percent crude protein content (Table 1).
Personnel
from the Oregon State College Agricultural Chemistry Department made
the crude protein deten*inations by using the Association of Official
Agricultural Chemists' method of analysis (1).
T*L$ 1
Species list of plants sempled for nutritional analysis
1.
2
3.
I,
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
Vine Maple
Western Red-Cedar
Sticky Laurel
Hairy Mauzanita
Sp1sl
Wild Blackberry
Thimbl.eberry
Salmonberry
Huckleberry
Elderberry
Giant Fireweed
Hedge Nettle
Sword Tern
Acer ciroinatus Pursh
ThujFa plicata Donn.
Ceanothus Ve1utnus Doug11
Aretoit,phIos co1zbiana Piper
Gaultheria 3halTi
Rubus vitifilius C. & 8
Rebus parviflorile Nutt
Rubui spectabiUs Pursh
.pp.
* spp.
us anguatifolis L.
isoni Piper
cIu
minixtus (lCault.) Preel.
Nutritional sanpl.es were taken frai' two elevations on the north
slope:
1,500 end li,000 feet, end two elevations on the south slope:
1,500 and 2,500 feet.
These coilectiozie were taken in logged units
end in a&jacent timbered areas having reduced light.
of the current year's growth were used.
Only clippings
Siples were taken at the
se locations and in the se maimer on August 15 end October 15,
1955, end on January 15 end June 15, 1956, on the north elope and on
June 1 end June 15, 1956, on the south slope.
The study was expended in August, 1956, to include samples taken
fr*u both north end south slopes at different times and various
elevations.
After having received the analysis reports on the first
year's samples, it was apparent that a test was needed to determine
whether differences in percent crude protein content were produced
only by a differential in seasonal plant deve1oent between elevations
aud between north and south slopes or whether differences were caused
by other factors also.
Reilmers (12, p. 32k), Einaxaen (8, p. 311), klagen (10, p. 17k),
Bissell and Strong (2, p. 15k), and others who worked in different
geographic end climatic areas reported that, in general, protein
content was highest in spring growth and lowest during the dormant
months.
Prom general observations, it is known that plants, within
the same species, at different elevations begin spring growth at
different times.
Plants at hh elevations begin growth later in
the spring than plants at lover elevations because of cold.
tamperaturea ant delayed snow melt.
Also, south elopes where higher
tamperatures develop earlier in the year than north slopes at a
given elevation, end with all other factors being equs], begin plant
growth earlier in the spring than north slopes.
Samples were
collected at staggered tine intervals between low and high elevations
and between north and south slopes in an atteept to collect plant
species in the same developnental stage at .13. locations.
Following the guide range mwiagers use of 100 feet in elevation
being equivalent to one day later in beginzuiiig of spring growth (13,
p. 7), samples begi'ing August 9 were collected at 1,500 feet, and
thirty-four days after the first samples at
feet.
Nine days
were added at the high elevation to ccsenaate for the delay of
spring vegetation growth due to late spring snow packs.
Having no
guide for making sample collections in relation to exposure, a nine-
day interval ws arbitrarily selected.
Southuslope samples were
collected on August 1, 1956, end. north-slope samples were taken
August 10, 1956.
Tra.c
Observations
A track observation method was employed during the spring, late
sauner, and fall periods when deer were moving into and out of the
research area.
Road banks were checked fron the tine snow conditions
would pex,nit deer entry in the spring until the date deer tracks were
21
observed in all logged units, and again during the fell months when
deer began to leave the forest.
Roads were cut through logged units
in such a aaIer that deer must cross them while feeding through the
units.
In this way an estimation couLd be made of the yearly period
of deer use.
Daylight Observation Samples
Early moz'1ng observation samples were taken during the late
simmer of 1955, and simmer and fall of 1956 to study deer activity.
Samples beginning at daylight and continuing for approimately two
hours were conducted by traveling over roads through logged units.
A short period was used for sampling as it was thought that deer
activity would be greatest at that time and that the activity would
be ccmparable between units for only a short time.
It would be
questionable whether movement could be ccmpared. between a sample
which was taken at daylight in one logged unit and one which was
taken three, four, or five hours later in another logged unit.
Observational samples were obtained by stopping at strategic
locations and studying the entire unit with the aid of 7 x 50 binoc..
ulars.
Then the unit wee traversed by walking fri bottom to top.
Deer were counted and, whenever possible, notes were taken pertaining
to sexes, estimated ages, general conditions, feeding activities,
and locations in the logged unit. After a unit was covered in this
manner, the investigator proceeded to the next unit.
The one
d.tsadvantage apparent
in
this method was the relatively small smomt
of area that could be covered in one apltng period.
Night spotlight deer snp1ee were taken during the stsmer of
1955, the swaner and fall of 1956, end the swaner of 1957.
During
1955, a smell xnznber of imita were eanpied each night until all were
swnpled over a period of four nights.
The units were separated into
groups, rnenbere one, two, three, and five, according to the date
they were logged.
The first group was logged in 1950, and the others
were logged in successive years with the last group being cut in
1954.55.
One cxsnp3.ete ae3nple of all the units was taken during the
susmer of 1955.
In 1956 it was decided to 1'wge the procedure by
taking a srp1e including all units each iigbt and by taking eeveral
swnples during the rnmer. This modification of the previous method
was found to be more satisfactory for the following reasons:
(1) Time taken to ssxple the total area was reduced to a
mininnai.
Time spent in traveling fron headquarters to the observe-
tional area end back was decreased to less than one-fourth the time
previously taken.
(2)
Count duplications were for the most pert eliminated.
Since the logged units were scattered throughout the area, it was
improbable that a recorded deer would move to an adjacent unit ahead
of the observers.
23
(3) A more accurate detennination could be made of the
relationship of deer movements to individual units, elevations,
and slopes, and the relationship between deer movements and
seasonal changes. Samples could have indicated a general population
shift or movement throughout the entire study area, whereas taking
samples in only a few units each night might not have, if movements
had been of short duration.
venty..seven units were sampled each night for twenty
between August
September 12,
6
and October 10,
1957,
1956.
nights
Between June 28 and
eight samples were taken. These all-unit
samples were obtained during the hours of maxintmi darkness. They
began at approximately 9:00 p.m. each night and
tenninated at varying
times depending upon the number of deer seen. The minimum time spent
in one night was a two*bour period when no deer were observed; and
the maxLmt
time spent totaled five and one..half hours when øixty
deer were observed. Approximately sixty miles of roads were traveled
each night, approzlately thirty miles of which were utilized in
actual spotlighting.
The road system in each unit was very advantageous to
sampling fr
spotlight
a vehicle. Virtually .11 parts of each of the twenty-
seven unite sampled were visible f rem seme point along
roads in timber corridors were sampled while
driving
the road. All
between units.
This method employed the use of a vehicle, preferably a pickup,
ver and assistant, a spotlight, and binoculars. The assistant,
2I
either seated on the right front seat or standing in the pickup bed,
used the spotlight to pick up deer.eye reflections.
If an observa-
tion was made while the vehicle was moving, the driver stopped and
assisted by attempting, with 7 X 50 binoculars, to identify the
deer as to sex, nber of antler points, spproxLmate age, genera].
physical condition, and whether it was feeding or bedded down.
The vehicle was driven steadily at a low speed until a
strategically located observation point was reached in a given unit.
Stops were made between observation points only if deer were spotted.
The spotlight was used in the following maimer:
while the
vehicle was under way, the passenger swept the visible area using
short, fast, horizontal, flipping motions of the light and gradually
working it up and down the slopes fran the roadside to the limit of
the unit or to the effective limit of the light
'b.ile pert oniing
this operation, either the passenger whistled or the driver inter.
mittently honked the vehicle born to draw the attention of the deer.
With the deer facing the observers, eye reflection was very easily
seen even with the light moving very fast. At strategic locations,
the vehicle was stopped and the accessible area was searched
thoroughly with the light.
The spotlight used in this study during the s*mmier and fell of
1955 consisted, externally, of a large headlight type case with a
pistol grip attached at the base, an off-on switch just above, and a
15-foot cord extending fran the handle to the tex'1ne1s on the
vehicle's battery.
Intern13,y it consisted of a large reflector and
* ccn spotlight bulb, all enclosed by a front glass cover such as
in early-day car headlanpe.
The spotlight used during the siner and fall of 1956, and
rnier of 1957, consisted of a six-volt sealed-bean unit with a
bakelite
pistol grip, an on-off switch just above, end a cord approx-
imately twenty feet long reaching fran the base of the pistol grip to
the battery terMinals. This spotlight was cam3ercially designated by
the
iity Manu1acturing Oceipany as a six-volt, sealed-bean, portable
marine searchlight, rated at approxImately 95,000 candle-power.
An evaluation of the two spotlights could be made only by
canparing their perfonnance. The bulb type unit used during 1955, by
canperison, was bulkier and. heavier then the portable marine search..
light.
It projected a wider bean and a maxi
projection through
canparatively dust-free air of approxLmately 200 yards. The sealedbean unit, characterized by a very concentrated beam, projected light
through canparatively dust-free sir for approximately 350 yards.
These are epproximate maximum distances .t which reflection fran deereyes could be detected with the naked eye, not the distance at which
details were visible.
The ability to detect auixele and anla1 detai)s
at night was extremely variable and dependent on two major factors:
(1)
the amount of dust and foreign material in the air which reduced
the effective distance of light penetration; and (2)
the degree of
angle to the ground surface on which the deer was standing.
There
vu difficulty in detecting details at asxLmum distances when the
spotlight been was projected parallel to the ground surface, parti-.
cularly where there was a shrub layer varying in height.
The
reflection of light fron the ground and/or shrubbery, end the
resulting general diffusion of light along the path of the beam
that resulted made it difficult at short distances eM at times
impossible at long distances to detect antlers.
When projecting the spotlight fron a road to a point across a
draw or canyon, which wee generally the case in the U. J. Andrews
Experimental Forest, the light beam was at an angle to the ground,
which eliminated most reflection and diffusion except in the 1e-.
diate vicinity of the deer.
Sune difficulty
vu
experienced in detezining the presence of
antlers because of bright eye reflection.
At distances varying from
under 100 yez'd.e to the effective limit of the spotlight, reflection
would occasionally block the ears and antlers from sight if the deer
were directly facing the observer.
Also, the amsller the antlers,
the less reflection it took to block tham out.
After use and comparison of both spotlights, the Unity marine
searchlight was recended as the better of the two for night spotlight sampling work.
27
*:i)opift
(!iJ
History
Ntmerous studies have been undertaken to ascertain the food
quality of big ge forage plants. However, the majority of these
inquiries have shown only seasonal or average nutritional levels
without attpting to correlate thea with the physical environment
in which plants are found. This correlation should be important in
the nansgeaent of wild animals that inhabit areas which exhibit
axtrese topogrsthioa1, and hence environmental, charges.
In the Cascade Mountain Range of Oregon, deer prefer and con.
centrate in open or logged areas. With increased logging in this
mountainous region, large acreages are being cleared which will
increase deer habitat. In order to effectively mwege these areas
for deer, it would be desirable to collect infonnatiou on plant
nutritional quality as it relates to elevation, exposure, and light
intensity changes. This infoiation should be valuable to the geae
manager in determining areas of
high
plant nutritional potential and
tn manipulating populations accordingly.
Conparison of Elevations
In 1955, low and high elevation samples were taken an the eeae
dates (August 15, and again on October 15) to establish the differenoes in stage of plant development between elevations (Table 2).
I
'1AKE 2.
Capsrison of percent crude protein in pleat.
at tWo elevaticns on north..slope 1oed areas, 1955.
4*
flay.
Difference
October 15
Low Elev.
flyo
Difference
U15
23.00
+1285
1329
21JO
+7.81
E]Aezterry
114.63
22.10
+ 7.1i7
10.20
20.00
+9.80
Wild Blackberry
10.20
13.95
+ 3.75
10.18
11.79
+1.61
8.08
11.30
4 3.22
9.15
9.55
40f1$O
Thimblaberry
10.85
13.15
+2.30
7.50
16.714
Vine Maple
11.55
10.65
0.95
10.05
11.50
7.60
8.85
.1.25
øpscies
August 15
low E]ev.
Pireveed
Sword Tern
Stickr lmurel
Hi&
-
41.145
Low elevation samples showed lover protein levels then did high
elevation samples in every- case except one which was the vine maple
sample taken
on
August 15, 1955, ithen crude protein content was
less by- 0.95 percent.
The data
iriitely show a difference j\
plant development between elevations.
Thiring 1956, north-slope low and high elevation samples were
taken
on staggered dates, August 9 aM September 12, respectively,
in an attempt to sample plants at the same stage of vegetative
development.
If stage of development was the only factor influencing
protein levels, the samples should show no over-aU difference in
quality.
Table 3 shows three low elevation samples having the
highest protein content and four samples having lover protein levels.
No general differences in protein levels were shown between eleva-
tions, which indicated that plants were in the same general stage of
development.
ççparison of
On June 15, 1956, both south and north-slope samples were taken
in open and canopied areas to check on the difference in stage of
plant development. AU sam:ples taken on north..slope open areas
shoved higher levels of protein than did those on the south slope
except for salel which was 0.73 percent lower.
Samples which indi-
cated a consistently higher level of protein on the north slope
showed that the north-slope vegetation was in an earlier stage of
seasonal develcaent (Table Ii).
Than samples fr
south and north
slopes were taken on staggered dates, August 1 and August 9, 1956,
respectively, in an attampt to sample vegetation on both slopes in
the same stage of develapsent.
Samples listed in Table 5 showed no
consistent slope differences, which indicated e3.1 plants were in the
same general stage of deve1qeent.
Intensities
Samples were taken
in
logged areas and adjacent areas of
reduced light to determine what influence light reduction had on
protein levels of browse plants.
and June 15, 1956.
Clippings were taken on January 15,
During the growing season in June, no consistent
difference was shown between open areas and areas of filtered light.
However, during the dormant season in January, samples showed
consistently lower protein content in samples fr
areas of reduced
light, except for one sample of salal which was 0.31 percent higher
(Table 6).
Discussion
In. the Blue River region of Oregon, vegetation
on south slopes
began growth earlier in the spring than did north-slope vegetation.
The new growth might have drawn deer onto south slopes while northslope vegetation was still in a dormant state.
31
TABLE 3.
Crude protein sples taken at two elevations and on two separate
dates on a north slope,
at the s.n* epprodzste stage
of vegetative develo.ent.
Low 31ev.
Aug. 9
RiaJi 31ev.
Elderberry
11.72
19.02
+7.30
Sword Peru
7.35
9.75
+2.140
Vine Maple
9.35
lLk7
42.12
Thizb3.eberry
9.30
10.15
+0.85
Hairy Menzenita
6.07
5.70
-.0.37
111.13
12.95
-1.18
8.95
7.08
-1.87
Species
Fireveed
Wild Blackberry
Sept. 12
Difference
TABLE II.
Ccaiparison of percent crude protein in plants fr
a north
and south slope and from logged and canopied
areas, Jwe 15, 1956.
Open
Differenc.
N.
S.
Elderberry
28.30
25.25
- 3.05
Fireveed*
29.1k
17.26
-11.88
Sword Fern
21.146
16.211
Vine Maple
111.13
Wild Blackberry
Selal.
Species
Canopied
Difference
N.
S.
311.03
19.90
.111.13
- 5.22
18.23
lii.O6
- 11.17
10.55
- 3.58
ili.61
9.23
- 5.38
18.16
111.411
- 3.72
18.99
15.11
- 3.88
15.96
13.68
- 2.28
15.10
15.83
+ 073
* Does not grow in canopied areas.
TA3I 5.
Czparison of percent crude protein in plants frcin logged areas
on a north and. south exposure and on two dates. August, 1956.
August 9
August 1
N.
S.
Difference
9.02
11.67
+2.65
Elderberry
11.72
13.22
+1.50
Sword Peru
7.35
8.73
+1.33
liairj Msnzanita
6.07
6.35
+0.28
Vine )4eple
9.35
9.145
+0.10
Wild Blackberry
8.95
9.00
+005
Salal
5.95
5.90
-0.05
Western Red-Cedar
8.18
6.53
-1.65
114.13
10.13
.14Qt)
pcies
Stieki Laurel
Fireveed
lit
Differ..
June 15
January 15
Differ-.
9
p
Elderberry
28.30
31i.03
+5.73
WidB1wkberry
18.16
18.99
+0.83
8.39
8.32
1.95
+0.21
5.57
1,88
Western Red-Cedar
1#,71
-
Vine M1e
1.13
111.61
+0.138
--.-
--.-
Huckleberry
12.19
12.12
.0.07
---
--.-
Hedge Nettle
20.93
21.07
4.0.111
--.
Sa3s1
15.96
15.10
-0.86
625
11.83
-.--
5.70
14.133
le.139
k.8o
10.011
6.30
$1
Sword Fern
21.136
18.23
-.3.23
U
K
---
.nce
8.88
5.
7.33.
5.97
-0.07
-
.1.27
-3.
-1.
A)
35
1
History
The H. J. Andreve Experimental Forest was virtually covered by
mature Douglas.! ir before logging began.
It was poorly suited for
large deer populations because of a lack of openings and adequate
food.
The best habitat available near this drainage was the nwerous
high mountain meadova situated along its northern and eastern boundaries, several old openings along the south edge of the watershed
which had been timbered but were cut in 191,6, end two large burns that
ran frza the Mckenzie River valley to the south edge of the research
area.
One of the burns occurred in 1937 end the other in l948.199.
All of these units had deer populations before portions of the H
Andrews Experimental Forest were cut.
J.
According to Wusteuberg (211),
who carried out studies in the research area in 1951-52, the drainage
itself bad very few deer.
The main deer population was limited to
the high opera ngs mentioned previously.
28, 1953, to Septeuber J4
stud.y of wildlife.
Morse (18) spent fxuu July
1953, in the research territory on a general
During his period of work, he observed a tote]. of
only nine deer in the drainage.
Chew (5) spent the stser of 19514 in
the seue locale studying wildlife.
During the general course of
dail.y investigations frcn JUne 18 through Septeuber 6, he made 142
deer observations in the lover elevations, tr
1,1100 to 2,750 feet.
Although sampling was not consistent during the first few years
of logging operations, the iofoxmation does indicate a steady increase
of deer as openings were produced.
Pa11
1955
When research began August 1,
out the forest.
1955,
deer were scattered through-
Tracks were observed in all
logged patches and on
high mountain trails around the edge of the watershed. From general
observations it was noted that tracks were more rnerous on low
elevation north-slope openings. These sites were characterized during
the simer months by a dense cover of fireveed which afforded much
better protection than did vegetation on
higher,
younger, or south-
slope units.
Most of the fireweed plants had dried to the point of being unavnilable for deer food by October l Most other perennial food
plants were still ava1ahle. During Septamber a gradual decrease in
deer said deer tracks was noticed. During the last part of Septenber,
early morning observations were made to determine the whereabouts of
the deer population. No deer were seen and only an occasional track
was encountered. Neither deer tracks nor animftls were observed
moving out of the mouth of the drainage to indicate a prenature
migration to the low elevation wintering areas.
Deer seamed to become wary during Septamber and October and were
seldom seen although a wt&l number of tracks were observed at all
37
elevations.
During the lest half of October and Novber, deer
tracks were observed only in the upper elevations (3,000 to lê,000
reet) on the north slope.
No tracks were observed on the south
slope.
Snow began falling in the upper elevations on
October 26 and
increased to a depth of approximately 15 to 20 inches by Noveeber 16.
By the
ae date, snow at low elevations had. reached a depth of
twelve inches.
Deer renaii ng in the area began a concentrated downward moveaent on Noveeber 3.7 which decreased to a few stragglers by November
22.
Tracks of deer were observed coning out of the timber along the
Creek
last two mile. of Lookout
drainage and moving down to the Blue
River and Mc1Gnzie River valleys.
deer was observed
movent, a aaxiaisn of 22
sisiple of all logged units
present.
deer
During the rner preceding this
in one night's spotlight
This was only a portion of the deer
At the time of fail migration, tracks of only eight to ten
were observed leading fron
which suemered in
the study area. The remain1'g deer
Lookout drainage were not accounted for.
During the migration period, most of the deciduous food plants
were in a dormant state.
Wild blackberry, salel,
and sword fern
foliage was present although covered with snow (Table 7).
Bare twigs
of vine maple and California hazel were noted as being browsed
lightly.
TABLE 7.
Available deer browse in logged units.
11ev. 9, 1955
pecies
Bare Ground
Nov. 16,
12" to
1955
snow
)"
Wild Blackberry
Abundant
Abundant
Salal
Caon
Ccsnon - covered
Sword 7ern
Con
Con - covered
Vine Maple
Couon
Bare twigs
Willow
Ccmimon
Bare twigs
Elderberry
Scarce
Bare twigs
Sticky Laurel
Scarce
Scarce
Huckleberry
Scarce
Bare Twigs
covered
p
Observations indicated that plant doiinancy which decreased the
amount of available forage, and
heavy snows which covered the bulk of
available deer food were instrisnental in effecting an abrupt downward
deer migration. At the same time, a concentration of deer tracks was
noted leading down fr
the Blue River drainage proper. This obser.-
vation substantiated the conclusion that an abrupt deer migration
occurred in the whole Blue River region.
No deer were observed wintering in the study area. The upper
limit
of the deer wintering range was observed to be the mouth of
Lookout Creek drainage at an elevation of about 1,300 feet.
8pring - 8ter, 1956
Observational deer surveys were begun April 15 in anticipation
of deer moveeente into the research area.
Logged units end road cut..
banks were checked by track survey. for the occurrence of deer.
Fresh tracks were first observed in south slope unite 3-A, 3-B, and
3-C, on May 8, but none were found in the remaining units on this
date.
This earliest aninial movement coincided with the beginning of
spring plant growth on the low elevation south slopes.
The deer
slowly filtered into the other available clearings, end tracks were
observed in all openings by May 28.
Approximately
) days were
required for the deer to spread throughout Lookout Creek drainage.
They moved a distance of six airline miles fran the upper limit of
their wintering grounds to the logged unit farthest fran the drainage
mouth.
As a group, the deer traveled roughly three-tenths of en
airline wile a days this indicated a very gradual infiltration into
sa=er quarters.
Fran tracks observed during May, there appeared to be very few
animals in the area although all logged units had been visited by
deer.
Night spotlight deer enples taken during the .ers of 1956
and 1957 indicated
en
incretse in animal nmbers through the middle
of the ser and thena decrease for the remainder of the eeason
On May 6, 1956, no deer were observed in the study area.
On June 28,
22 deer were counted during one night spotlight sample in 27 units.
Deer ninbers increased until a season maximwn of sixty deer was seen
on August 14, 1956, during a sample of all units.
Prcea this date on,
animal nunbers decreased as shown by subsequent samples until no deer
were seen during two samples taken in October (1'igure 1+).
The 1957
night spotlight samples were taken by Bruce Wyatt, Carl?. Anderson,
and James 1). Toakun, graduate research assistants with the Oregon
Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit.
Discussion
There was no indication of an obvious downward fall migration
out of Lookout Creek drnage before snow fell in November, 1955.
There was no information gathered in this study which would indicate
a clearcut or logical reason for an early downward fall movement.
Since deer actuaUy moved out of the logged units during August
and September, it can be asauned fran limited signs that they moved
up and out of the drainage into high mountain meadows, old burns and
old logged unite which were their h8bitat before logging began in the
study area. A downward fall migration fran those qpenings not within
the boundary of the H. J. Andrewe Experimental Porest but which
support pert of the study area deer herd, would occur along routes
other than through the study drainage, leaving only a few to pass
down through.
This would, account for the relatively few deer observed
moving down fran Lookout Creek drainage with the advent of snow.
70
0
z
50
a::
Lu
40
a::
U
U
°
30
0
a
U
m
20
z
MAY
JUNh
UULY
/LJLUfl
SIMtit
OLI.
DATES OF DEER COUNTS, 1956 AND 1957.
Figure 1.
NulDbers of deer observed on various dates during ni
t spotlight saip1es, 1956 and 1957.
In 1956, deer began moving toward their sier range
as
soon as
new vegetative growth becene available for food on approzimately
May 8.
As shown by track observations, this movenent was vei
gradual.
It would seem logical that deer wintering closest to the mer range,
in this case Lookout Creek drainage, would be the first to reach the
research area.
Deer farthest frcnn the sunmer range would take much
longer to reach it.
Abundant food, including dense patches of fire-
weed. in the lover elevation
units, produced ideal fawning
areas where wiwals were observed raising their young.
Deer moved
into the area with the advent of spring plant growth; acme females
paused to bear and raise fawns and others took advantage of the
abundant food supply.
During this time, deer nzbers increased as
more moved in fzn the farthest reaches of the wintering grounds.
It seems probable that as the suemer beceme hot end dry, as fawns
developed and grew strong enough to travel during August, and as the
vegetation began to lose its spring tenderness, the deer began
seeking higher, cooler areas where food plants were still relatively
tender and desirable.
Infozination gathered on the email winter
migration, on fluctuating deer populations, and on changes in plant
food quality, would support this supposition of a movement to higher
elevations during the last of August and during Septenber.
It was shown through night spotlight semple data (Figure I) and.
track observations that not all of the deer were actually pexaanerzt
sweer residents in the H. J Andrews Experimental Forest logged
11.3
areas, but were sniaal.a that used the area onl.y as a tenporary hane
for a part of the sier period.
The openings were believed to be
a trarasitiori&. zone between wintering gromda and ].ete otnimier and
faU ranges.
Many factors influence the distribution of deer in any herd
range.
Those factors felt to be most important in the area which was
studied included eosure - vegetation, elevations, age of logged
openings, available water, nocturnal activities, and logging
activities.
osure - Vegetation
North-elope logged areas were characterized by a much heavier
vegetative cover during the spring, rnaer end fall seasons than were
south elope openings.
Low elevation cleared units produced a heavier
vegetative cover than did high elevation openings.
North-slope low
elevation open areas were characterized by dense stands of fireveed,
which reached a maximta height of approdaately seven feet, and by a
more dense cover of vegetation than north-slope high elevation and
south-slope units.
It was shown by data gathered during night spotlight deer
samples that more deer occupied north-slope logged areas of dense
vegetation than other clearings.
During 1956 spotlight sampling, a
total of 587 deer were observed.
Of those deer, 318 were observed on
the north-elope areas and. 269 were counted on the south slopes.
During August, when the majority of the deer were seen, 278 were
observed on north slopes and 218 on south slope. (Figure 5)
0
>
LU
LU
m20
0
LU
LU
0
0
0
JULY
1U(iUSI
Li-'IMBLF
DATES OF SAMPLES, 1956.
FIgure 5.
Slope aspect prefe;ence of deer In the H. J. Axidrews Experlznenta]. Forest, 1956.
OCTObER
Elevation
Night spotlight samples were taken at all elevations during each
sample period.
Since each period consisted of only a few consecutive
hours each night, different elevations were considered cc*uparable for
studying deer activity.
Samples taken during 1956 and 1957 were used.
The canparison of acres per deer was used.
divided into two elevation classes:
and 2,500
1,500
4,0® feet for high openings.
The elevation range was
2,500 feet for low areas
Deer ntm%ers fran all
samples taken in 1956 and 1957 were totaled for each year.
To deter-
sine the total nwnber of acres sampled, the acreage fran each logged
unit was multiplied by the rnxnber of times it was viewed during
sampling.
Then the total nmber of acres sampled in an individual
logged opening was divided by the total rnmber
of
deer counted in
the same logged area, to give a figure of acres per deer.
The acres
per deer for all openings in each elevation range were eied and the
average taken.
In 1956, the average nwibar of acres used per deer at
the low elevation was
; at the high elevation, 79.5.
In 1957, the
average acres used. per deer at the low elevation was 52.2; at the high
elevation, lll#.
Data shown in Figure 6 indicate that low elevation
areas were used consistently by more deer than bigi' elevation openings.
14.7
120
c:
90-
Li
Li
80
Li
0
70
Li
(I)
60
(I)
LU
0
50
Li
(1,
500- 2500
500
2500 - 4000'
ELEVATION
OF
2500
2500'
SAMPLES
Figure 6. F.1evation prererence of deer in the U. J. Andrews
Ixperiiieflta1 Forest, 1956 and 1957.
400'
t:I$rj
At the time this study took place, logging lied been carried on
for five years. A few areas were cleared each year.
This cutting
pattern produced openings of various ages, each age represented by
a different density of vegetation due to successional stages of plant
growth.
Unite were placed in yearly age groups beginning with the
areas cleared in 1950 and ending with logged openings cut in 1955.
Units cut in 1950 showed a use of 14 acres per deer fran samples
taken in 1956, and 23.3 acres per deer fran samples taken in 1957.
Units cut in 1955 showed a use of over 500 acres per deer fran
samples taken in 1956, and. fran samples taken in 1957 no deer were
observed using the areas.
Units logged in 1951, 1952, 1953, and
1954 did not show a steady increase of deer use as might be ezpected.
This was believed to be due to the confounding of elevation arid slope
variations with the age of units which influenced successiønal vegetation growth.
Units cut in 1950 showed heavier deer use than more
recently opened areas and those logged in 1955 showed lees use then
older age groups; but patches cleared in 1951, 1952, 1953, and 1954
show no definite known correlation (Pigure 7).
Available Water
Data were collected on deer population density in relation to
year-around availability of water in or near individual logged units.
530
Nv
$3
a:
$00
U
90
a:
80
U
U
OBSERVED
70
U,
Lu
a:
0
60
50
40
(9
a:
uJ
>
30
-x
20
0-
0
-o
1956
957
0
950
1951
952
953
'954
'955
YEARS AREAS WERE LO(FD
Figure 7. The age of 1oged units in relation to deer use shown Irczi night spotlight
swnples, 1956 and 1957.
AU openings except one had
available
water within their boundaries
or nearby. The one exception, unit ]..H, averaged 2614 acres per deer
during
1956,
and during 1957 no deer were observed using the unit.
Unit 1-I, which was logged at
prox1inate1y the se te, was on
the sane slope, at epproztmate],y the sane elevation, end of approxi
mately the sane steepness, but had year-around water available,
showed a use of 61i. acres per deer in
1956
and 23 acres per deer in
1957.
The united
ioforeation gathered in&icated that available year-
around water wee an important influence
on the
distribution of deer
in the study area.
Nocturnal Ativiy
Frau night spotlight deer samples, data were collected on
end feeding habits. In. the years
1956
end
1957,
bed41rg
a total of 6140 deer
were observed during 23 night sample periods. Of this total, 66 per-
cent were observed feeding, 28 percent were bedded, end for six
percent, activities were widetezmnined.
Activity
Logging was conducted each year
during the season of deer use in
the H. J. Andreve Exper2zental ?orest. Loud noises fr
power saws, trees
felling,
bleating,
heavy logging trucks traveling roads, and
S
51
heavy duty machinery being operated. were continuous on noa1 work..
days throughout the study perio& Pr
distributional patterns
d.etexmined. frosi night spotlight deer apLes and frce
dnily
obeer.
vations, no general intimidation of deer was noted. Deer were
&teturbed. only ithen individuals were in close proximity to sudden
loud, noises
Then deer were startled only enough to move frcei the
imuediate vicinity until the noise ceased. No deer concentrations
were noted that would. indicate logging was an attraction to deer.
1rcm observations made during
1955
end 1956, logging activity could
not be considered as an influence in deer distribution or activities;
however, specific studies on deer curiosity in relation to
logging
activities might reveal acse degree of correlation.
Discussio
The syøten of
logging
used. in the study area, that of cutting
patches of timber at various elevations and on different slopes,
produced many interrelated influences, few of which were believed to
show a potential significance when studied individually.
During 1950, three units were logged on the north slope at a
low elevation. In 1951, four areas were logged on the north slope
at a high elevation. In 1952 one high elevation north-slope unit,
four low elevation north-slope unite, and. two low elevation southslope areas were logged. During 1953, both low and high south-slope
52
unite were cleared. Areas cleared during l951 and 1955 were situated
on south elopes at various elevations.
Because of the systen of logging used, the relationship of deer
distribution and activity to any single influence was confounded by
many other factors.
Even though studies of eoaure-vegetation and
elevation indicated a definite preference by deer for north slopes
and low elevations, this was not a ccsnpletely true picture of
preference since north-slope units were the oldest.
If all logged areas had been the sene age, a truer picture of
deer preference would have been produced. If all areas had been
logged in the sene environmental situation but cleared over a period
of years, infonnation on deer preferences for particular aged openings
would have been more accurate.
With
all other factors being equal,
older units, within certain mlnimwa age limitations, by virtue of
having a more developed growth of invading seral vegetation, should
be more desirable.
Again,
with all other factors being equal, low
elevation openings should. be more
desirable
than high openings because
of less precipitous terrain, more moderate weather conditions, and.
better
plant growth due to a longer growing
moisture supplied by late season drainage.
season and more available
It
follows that in the
area under study and in slinilar situations, with other conditions
being constant, north-slope units, except during the early spring,
would evidence heavier use by
than south slopes because of
53
better plant gzovth produced by more moisture and more favorable
temperature conditions.
The whole discussion thus far leads to the conclusion that
heaviest deer concentrations are found
produce optiirnm vegetation growth end
where and
when conditions
available water
for feeding,
biding, and raising young. In the study area, these conditions
were best met on logged units exhibiting the combined conditions of
relatively old age, low elevation, north exposure, and avai1ab1e
water.
A preference by deer for north-elope unite was indicated from
data discussed earlier and illustrated in Figure 5. The greatest
confidence was placed in sanplee taken during the last of July and
the month of August in both
1956 and 1957
because the maiva menber
of deer were observed then. Few deer were observed during the
semples taken in June, early July, late September, and October.
This placed more importance on individual animal movements, which
was undesirable, rather than on general group movements. During the
July and August period mentioned above,
enough deer were observed to
reduce individual animal importance end to produce more reliable
infonnation on general herd activities.
A sempling discrepancy in the deer use cparison of logged
areas was produced by a difference in vegetation density and
between north and south slopes
siopes provided
height
Since dense t1l vegetation on north
better concealment for deer than sparse low
511
vegetation on the ooeite elopes, fewer animals would have been
observed in the former situation than in the latter. General deer
preference for uorth.slope unite, as shown in Figure 1, i likely
conservative because of concealment under the teller vegetation.
The data collected, relating to nocturnal activities indicated a
high level of feeding end movement at night in the deer population
of the Blue River region.
was believed to have been
Disturbance of deer during
spotlighting
slight as animals were observed in the
process of bedding down while in the bright beem of the
light.
Very few deer showed alarm while being observed with the use of
the
spotlight.
55
Clbnate, and vegetation variations in relation to density,
distribution, and food quality were two of the more important
factors influencing deer population preferences, movements, and
activities in the H. 3. Andrews Experimental Porest and adjacent
areas.
Climate directly influenced deer movements through severe late
fall and winter snows which were partially responsible for the downward migration of deer to wintering areas.
deer through vegetation.
Indirectly, it influenced
Climatic differences between north and. south
slopes and between elevations affected the food quality, density, end
distribution of vegetation.
The food quality was influenced by cli-
mate only in relation to different exposures and elevations where
various climates cause differences in seasonal plant develonent on
any given date during the growing season.
In the H. 3. Andrewa area,
plant crude protein levels on any given date during the growing
season were the h(g)est at high elevations.
In ocinparing north and
south exposures, plants on north..alope areas on any given date during
the growing season were higher in crude protein content than those on
south-slope areas.
Also during the season of plant growth, crude
protein content of plants showed no general difference between open
and timbered areas
However, during the winter or period of plant
dormancy, open areas exhibited higher protein levels than did
timbered areas.
56
Differences in vegetation density and distribution were believed
to be the primary influences which detereined the pattern of deer use
within the study area.
The vegetation differences were, in turn,
believed to be a direct result
exposures of cut units
of
the varying ages, elevations, end
These differences in the physical character-
istics of logged areas produced different environmental conditions
under which vegetation cmnunities must have necessarily developed
along separate lines, or similar lines but different stages in relation to time.
It was found that deer favored areas which produced
dense, tall, shrubby and hexbeceoue vegetation.
In the study terri-
tory end. surrounding region, these characteristics were exhibited to
the greatest extent on relatively old, low elevation, north-slope
logged units.
It was believed that deer food quality, measured by percent
crude protein in this study, izxtluenced deer distribution to sone
degree although a positive correlation between deer movecents end
varying plant food quality was not found.
During the winter or
period of plant dormancy, the relatively high percent crude protein
levels found in deer browse on logged or open areas as camipazted to
timbered areas or reduced light, indicated that deer might have concentrated in the openings to avail themselves of higher quality food.
This was brought out by Elnarsen (8, p. 310, 312) in his study of
-
deer food quality in relation to open and canopied areas in the coast
range of Oregon in 1946.
He found that, during the winter, open areas
57
produced higher protein levels in deer food, end larger, more
numerous, end healthier deer then did densely timbered areas.
Data collected on the influence of water
on deer distribution
shoved that adequate year-around water must be available.
However,
it was shown that all but one logged unit had water available and
therefore water could not be considered important in the study area
or similar surrounding habitat.
Fran limited observations it was found that logging activity
was not a factor influencing deer movnent or distribution; however,
specific studies along this line might reveal sane correlation.
The study area was found to be
in
a transitional zone there
deer were limited to a seasonal occupation of the habitat because of
heavy snows which pushed them out during the winter months.
H. 3. Andrewa
The
perimentel Forest was used by deer only during the
spring, ser, and. fall seasons.
It was determined that deer in the study area and surrounding
territory carried out both a short, abrupt, fall migration fran the
research area to lover elevations along the Blue River and McKenzie
River valleys, end a gradual spring migration fran the wintering
grounds back to the research territor3r.
It was believed that the study habitat favorably influenced the
increase of deer pqpulation numbers up to the level of the carrying
capacity of the wintering grounds.
The study drainage was found to
be a concentration area for deer which were supported by the lower
elevation winter habitst
If this winter habitat coincided with
hauan habitation, a maxIw.n population of supported deer would
produce conflicts.
Increased seasonal deer habitat, produced by
continued logging at high elevations, could allow deer population
niznbere to reach the peak of the carrying capacity of the wintering
area much sooner than if deer resained dependent on natural forest
openings.
This would necessitate the application of intensified
management practices sooner than might be expected under other
conditions.
59
The pattern of the early fall movement of deer fiun the research
area was not positively determined during this study.
If the deer
actually moved up to the natural habitat which was used before 3.og.
giug began, this information would be extremely important to game
managers in anticipating the intensity
of
use, and length of time
these newly logged areas would be used by deer.
The actual extent
of the winter range used by deer in the study area was not determined.
This information would be desirable for deteraintng the degree to
which deer are conflicting with hianan habitation, and the amount of'
habitat area which support the deer.
Since vegetation density and distribution were of primary
importance in influencing deer population concentrations, it was
felt that vegetation studies were needed which would supply sound
knowledge of' successional plant de-v'eloianent, including canpoaition
and cover density, in relation to time.
Studies should be focused
on vegetation relationships between exposures and different elevations.
It should be recognized that the H. J. Andrewa Experimental
Forest and ad,jacent areas are not typical of the most productive
Coluebian black-tailed deer' ranges found on the west coast of North
America.
Similar ranges encaupassing large areas are used by deer,
but because of high elevations there is a long season of non-use.
Theretore, it is important to realize the limitations of this area
then considering policies pertaining to Columbian black.tailed deer
managent.
r.ci
L! I
F1f
c!
A projected long tenr jprcgrem was begun in August,
etudy the influences of logging practices on
1955, to
Co1bian black..tailed
deer in the 15,000 acre H. J. Andrews Experimental Forest which is
located in the vest.central Cascade mountains of Oregon
The
objectives are: to determine migrational habits, distributional
patterns, and site preferences of deer, and to
ability for deer of
evaluate the suit.
habitat as modified by various logging practices
in the area.
The begirming phase of this progr'em, concluded in September,
1957, included the following objectives: to learn how variation in
protein content within the seme plant species, collected at different
elevations and slopes, affected deer movements and. distribution.
Data taken on deer migrational
patterns, population trends, movements
withi.n the research area, elevation and slope preferences, seasonal
habits, and the effects of food availability on population movements
to and. from the forest were also included.
Results indicated that vegetation growth began earlier in the
spring on south slopes than on north slopes, that on any given date
during the growing season crude protein
levels were higher at high
elevations than at low elevations, and that on any given date during
plant growth, north slope vegetation exhibited higher crude protein
levels then did south elope plants. Tharing the growing season no
general difference was shown in crude protein levels between open
areas and tbnbered areas of low light intensity. However, during the
period of plant dormancy, studies shoved that plants from timbered
locations were lower in crude protein content than those from open
or logged units.
Deer were observed to migrate f roe the research area during late
tall to low elevation wintering grounds along the Blue River and
McKenzie River valleys. Tbie migration was
precipitated by
heavy
snows and a reduction in avsil&ile forage. A gradual spring naigra.
tion of deer moving fran wintering areas back to the research
drainage was observed. Deer
beginning
med onto south slope openings with the
of spring plant growth.
Iran deer night spotlight samples end track observations taken
during the springs, stere and falls of 1956 end 1957, it was shown
that the deer population fluctuated continu&-ly. Nnnbers increased
until the middle of rn*nmer, and then decreased until no sn4'nals were
observed and. few tracks were found during late tall. It was found
that the study drainage was a transitional zone for use and that few
deer spent the full, spring, simmer, and fall seasons in the logged
openings. It was believed that deer moved to older, established
openings around the perimeter of the research watershed during late
eraner and fall.
Climate and. vegetation variations were two of the more important
factors influencing deer preferences, movesenta, end activities in
the H. .7. Andrews Experimental Porest aud adjacent areas. It was
63
felt that variations in plant nutritional levels had. se influence
on deer distribution but no definite correlation was fOW4
The study habitat was believed to have the potential for favor-
ably influencing the increase of deer nibers up to the level of the
carrying capacity oi! the wintering grounds.
Increased seasoral deer
habitat, produced by continued logging at high elevations, could
allow deer population nbers to reach the peak of the winter area
carrying capacity much sooner than if deer renamed dependent on
natural forest openings.
This would necessitate the application of
intensified me7lagem3ent practices sooner than might otherwise be
expected.
It should be recognized that the H. J. Andrews Experimental
Forest end edjacent areas are not typical. of the most productive
Colisubian black.'tailed deer ranges found on the west coast of North
America.
Similar ranges encupassing large areas are used by deer,
but because of high elevations and deep winter snows, there is a
long season of non-use.
Therefore, it is important to realize that
such areas have limitations when considering policies pertaining to
Colombian black-tailed deer mwngenent.
611.
BIBLIOGRAPH!
1.
Association of Official Agricultural Cheidats. Official methods
of analysis. 7th ed. Washington, D. C., 1950. 910 p.
2. BisseU, Harold D and Helen Strong.
The crude protein
variations in the browse diet of California deer. California
Fish and Gee 41(2):145-155. 1955.
3.
Biewell, H. if., et al. Mauagent of chise brushlands for
gene in the north coast region of California. California Fish
and Gene 34):11531e811.
1952.
4.
Cahalane, Victor H. Neanale of North
MacNillan, 19117. 682 p.
5.
Chew, James. thpubliohed research notes on animal nnbere.
Corvallis, Oregon, Oregon Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit,
Dept. of Fish and Gene, 1954.
6.
coThnan, J. D. Notes on the life history of the black-tailed
deer. California Fish and Game 6(l):l5-16. 1920.
7.
Cowan, Ian Mceggart. Life and times of the coast black-tailed
deer. In: The deer of
America. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania,
ierica.
New York,
Stackpole, and Washington, 1). C., Wildlife )(wsgenent Institute,
1956. p. 523.617.
8.
Einarsen, Arthur 8
Crude protein deteiwination of deer food as
an applied managament technique. Transactions of the North
American Wildlife Conference 11:309-312. 1946.
9.
Gabrielson, Ira N. and Stanley G. Jewett. Birds of Oregon.
Corvallis, Oregon, Oregon State College, 19140. 650 p.
10.
Hagen, Herbert L. Nutritive value for deer of ee forage
plants in the Sierra Nevada. California Fish and Gene 39(2):
163-175. 1953.
11.
Hamilton, U. J., Jr.
1939. 11.34 p.
12.
Helbnere, Henry. A study of monthly variations in the nutritive
value of several natural winter deer foods. Journal of Wildlife
Manegenent le(3):3l5325. 19140.
American manmals
New York, Mdxaw1T4 11,
13.
Eapkins, Andrew Deizar. Periodical events and natural law as
guides to agricultural research and practices. 1918. 112 p.
(U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. Weather Bureau. Monthly Weather
Review. Supplesent no. 9)
311.
Kundley, Louis Resins. The available nutrients in selected deer
browse species growing on different soils. Ph. D. thesis.
81 nueb.
Blecksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, 1956.
leaves.
15.
Jones, Gardiner F.
The
black-tailed deer. Washington State
Gains Bulletin 6(4):11-5. 1954.
16. Lindzey, Janss Shotwell. A study of the Columbian
black-tailed
deer, Odocoileus bionus columbianus (Richardson), and its
habitat in Oregon. Master's thesis. Corvallis, Oregon State
College, 19113. 68 numb. leaves.
17.
Kellog. List of North
knerican recent msimia3c. Washington, U. S. Goverzzient Printing
Miller, Gerrit S., Jr. and Riington
Office,
1955
954
p. (U S. National Museum Bulletin no. 205)
18. Morse, Kay. Unpublished research notes on azthnal numbers.
Corvallis, Oregon. Oregon Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit,
Dept. of Fish and. Gains, 1953.
Oregon State Ge Cissicn. Oregon's big gains.
Portland, xi. d. 4 p. (Oregon State Gains Cmnission. Information Leaflet no. 5)
19. Oregon.
20. _______________ The deer management program of the Oregon
State Game Cission. Portland, January, 1957. 10 p.
21. Peck, Morton Eaton. A manual of the higher plants of Oregon.
Portland, Biniorda and Mort,
1941.
866 p
22. Swank, Wendell 0. Protein and phoaphoxiia content of browse
plants as an influence on
southwestern deer herd levels,
Phoenix. Arizona Game and Fish Dept.,
1956.
32 p.
23. Trippensee, Reuben Edwin. Wildlife management. New !ork,
McGraw-Hill,
1948.
479 p.
24. Wustenberg, Donald W. Unpublished research notes an aniia1
numbers. Corvallis, Oregon. Oregon Cooperative Wildlife
Research Unit, Dept of Fish and Game, 1952.